Red PTS STUFF Flashcards
What is Polymyalgia rheumatica
common systemic inflammatory disease that is one of the most common indications for long-term steroids. It is characterised by myalgia and muscles stiffness with preponderance to the neck, shoulder and pelvic girdle.
Who is affected by polymyalgia rheumatica
- usually affects old adults 70-80
- more common in women 2-3 times
- more common in caucasian
What causes poly myalgia rheumatica
-a pro-inflammatory response with elevated levels of IL-6,
-an increase in certain T-cell subsets
-subclinical arterial inflammation in some patients.
Genetic and environmental factors for aetiology of PMR
Genetic: PMR, like GCA, has been associated with several human leucocyte antigen (HLA) alleles (e.g. HLA-DR4).
Environmental: the cyclical pattern of cases and peak incidence in winter months suggests an infectious trigger.
Predominant sites of inflammation for PMR
Head
Neck
Pelvic girdle
Pathophysiology of PMR
Despite the site of inflammation, patients still present with generalised muscle stiffness and pain, particularly in the shoulder and pelvic girdles that lasts more than 45 mins
Characteristic sites in the upper and lower extremities associated with PMR:
Shoulder girdle: subdeltoid/subacromial bursitis and biceps tenosynovitis.
Pelvic girdle: bursae around the greater trochanters and ischial processes. liopectineal and iliopsoas bursitis. Hamstring tendinitis and hip synovitis.
Symptoms of PMR
Bilateral shoulder and/or hip girdle pain
Stiffness and upper limb tenderness: particularly mornings
Systemic features: low-grade fever, fatigue, weight loss
Low mood
Peripheral symptoms
Signs of PMR
Reduced range of movement: shoulder, cervical spine, and hips
Inability to abduct shoulders past 90º
Synovitis and swelling
Motor exam:
GCA and PMR
10% of patients with PMR will develop GCA. Therefore, it is essential to assess for features of GCA including unilateral headache, visual changes, jaw claudication, temporal artery tenderness, scalp pain and constitutional symptoms.
What is the criteria for a Diagnosis of PMR
Age: 50 years or older at disease onset
Typical symptoms: bilateral, symmetrical shoulder and/or hip girdle pain associated with stiffness
Duration: > 2 weeks and lasting > 45 minutes at a time
Elevated inflammatory markers (ESR/CRP): supportive, but diagnosis can be made if normal
Rapid resolution of symptoms with corticosteroids: patient-reported global improvement of 70% or more within a week
Atypical features of pmr
Younger age of onset
Significant weight loss
Night pain
Neurological findings
Absence of core symptoms
Normal, or markedly elevated, inflammatory markers
Chronic onset
Investigations of pmr
FBC
UE
LFT
Autoimmune screen
Chest and shoulder x ray
Management of PMR
Start on oral prednisolone 15mg daily
After initiation - prednisolone should be reduced once symptoms are fully controlled - usually after a period of 3-4 weeks
Steroid - related complications of pmr
Steroid-induced hyperglycaemia,
mood changes
, insomnia,
gastrointestinal bleeding,
immunosuppression,
weight gain,
cushingoid appearance,
and adrenal cortex suppression.
Prognosis of PMR
Up to 45% of patients may not respond to steroids within the first 3-4 weeks of treatment and a more extended course of steroids may be needed.
Thankfully, there is no increased mortality associated with PMR, but relapse is common and patients may develop morbidity associated with side-effects from corticosteroids.
What is Pagets?
A chronic bone disorder that is characterised by focal areas of increased bone remodelling, resulting in overgrowth of poorly organised bone.
Excessive osteoblastic resorption followed by increased osteoblastic activity
Epidemiology of Pagets
- Typically affects older people (rare in under-40s)
- Commoner in temperate climates and anglo-saxons
- UK has highest prevalence in the world
Aetiology of Pagets
- Can be triggered by infections e.g. measles virus
- Linked to genetic mutations e.g. SQSTM1
RF for Pagets
- Family history
- Age >50 years
- Infection
- male
Stereotypical presentation of pagets?
Older male with bone pain and an isolated raised ALP
clinical manifestations of Pagets
-Bone Pain
-Hearing loss
- friction
Kyphosis - curved spine
Pelvic assymetry
Bowlegs
Investigation for Pagets
Plain X-ray
Bone scan
Total serum alkaline phosphotase
Management for Pagets
- Pain relief
- NSAIDs
- Anti-resorptive medication - Biphosphonates e.g. alendronic acid
- Along with calcium and vit D supplementation
- Surgery -
- Correct bone deformities
- Decompress impinged nerve
- Decrease fracture risk
Monitoring Pagets
-Check the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and review symptoms.
-Effective treatment should normalise the ALP and eliminate symptoms.